Storm knocks out power for 7,000 customers; more than 2 inches of rain falls

MOBILE, Alabama -- More than 7,000 Alabama Power Co. customers in Mobile were left without power tonight after a strong storm swept the city, dumping more than 2 inches of rain, authorities said.

Alabama Power Co. spokeswoman Beth Thomas said the majority of the outages occurred in downtown and in west Mobile. She said power was expected to be restored to everyone sometime between midnight tonight and dawn Wednesday.

The National Weather Service reported 2.38 inches of rain since midnight Monday at Mobile Regional Airport.